A reader question:
Greetings. Enjoy your posts! Was searching for your thoughts on home interiors but see very little. I recently purchased the family Greek revival home and need to update it without updating it, if that makes sense. Less grandma and more classic Americana. Greatly appreciate any tips, resources or thoughts you may have.
From your description as “grandma“ my guess is that one way to update it would be through subtraction – less furniture, less knickknacks, and more open space. That way, the pieces, art, and objects that are important to you can shine through.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anonymous @11:19am. Removing rather than adding is likely the best way to achieve what you're looking for. Also, a nice neutral wall color/white trim can go a long way to refresh the house in your eyes. We repainted all the rooms in our house with Benjamin Moore Ivory Tusk (walls) and Simply White (trim). It's been a great neutral starting point for this house (recently purchased) that had "greige" and "cappuccino" walls when we moved in.
ReplyDeleteMy general rule is that kitchens and bathrooms can tolerate a gentle modernization. Think white marble, chrome finishes (gold is tacky unless very high quality) / stainless steel ok. Avoid odd paint colors (have seen a lot of dining rooms and kitchen cabinetry painted an odd shade of navy blue or forest green lately). These are trendy and will date quickly.
ReplyDeleteThe rest of the house doesn't need modernization. Fill it with items and furniture that have meaning to you. If it reflects your personality, you've done well.
One step at a time!
ReplyDeleteTo me, classic Americana is collected through the generations, and different styles from different eras live together. It's functional, first and foremost, rather than merely decorative. Accessories are minimal and functional (a quilt, basket, bowl). Fabrics are natural materials in solids or yarn-dyed stripes or plaids, with restrained use of prints. Colors are clean and bold, not insipid greige on greige.
ReplyDeleteGreek revival is based on simplicity and balance. White or natural wood walls and trim. Try to radiate from a focal point. Sconces rather than lamps at the fireplace and a clean long table or simple Federal chairs. No frilly curtains, needlepoint rockers, or throw rugs.
ReplyDeleteFor inspiration, I’d turn to the work of architect Gil Schafer III, with particular emphasis on The Great American House—though all of his books are rich sources of inspiration. I’d also look to Creating a New Old House: Yesterday’s Character for Today’s Home by Russell Versaci.
ReplyDeleteJust a few of my opinions:
ReplyDelete--look for natural fabrics: linen, cotton(chintz, canvas, linen-cotton) wool, silk, bamboo, jute, They last a lot longer than anything polyester/ performance fabric.
---you really can't go wrong with a well-made leather couch especially if you have big dogs and cats can't shred it; a well made couch should last your lifetime and if the fabric gets well-worn, cover it with a slip cover.
I've always loved the way the Brits decorated.
Just my thoughts.
---antiques are most likely to be better made than modern furniture made of MDF/particle board furniture---they just wont hold up overtime and that gets expensive.
----rugs in wool, jute, sisal, heavy cottons---again, natural fabrics hold up better